Posted on February 18, 2022
Renowned for its storybook villages, rolling hills and picturesque corners, The Cotswolds is the place to go for a momentary escape from reality and into your favourite fantasy or fairytale story. Travel to another world and check out these six fairytale spots across The Cotswolds.
Painswick Rococo Gardens
These Grade II listed gardens plucked from the 1700s were designed by Benjamin Hyett, a wealthy landowner, to reflect the ‘rococo’ period of art that was fashionable in Europe in the 1700s. Characterised by ornamental decoration, pastel colours and asymmetry, the gardens are unlike any other you’ve visited before.
The discovery of the Rococo Gardens are something straight from a storybook. In the 1980s, historians discovered a painting depicting the quirky house and the gardens’ former Rococo glory. Realising the beauty that lay beneath the overgrown chaos, they were restored and opened to the public to enjoy in 1988.
Their purpose is entertainment and you will find plenty of this at Painswick. There are beautiful follies and a challenging maze to explore, reminiscent of an adventure into Wonderland with Alice. For an extra drop of magic, we love to visit during snowdrop season when the woodland is bathed in beautiful white blooms.
The Model Village, Bourton on the Water
Let your imagination take you on Gulliver’s Travels to the island of Lilliput while you tour this unique Grade II listed model village, a 1/9th scale replica of 1930s Bourton On The Water created from beautiful Cotswold stone.
You’ll find miniature replicas of the local shops, bank, church and even bakery! No small detail goes amiss in this tiny village, from delicately pruned alpine plants to choirs singing in churches. If you are lucky, you might meet the ‘giant’ cat who’s partial to a little fuss!
St Edward’s Church, Stow on the Wold
The church was originally built in the middle ages and has been rebuilt and added to from the 11th century to the Victorian period. What makes St Edward’s stand out is its hidden mystical doorway, appearing as a portal to another magical realm.
The arched door is topped by colourful stained glass windows while surrounded by two ancient yew trees. It is rumoured to be Tolkien’s inspiration for the Doors of Durin that guard the entrance to the Mines of Moria in The Fellowship of the Ring. In the book and film the Doors of Durin are framed by two ancient yew trees just like this door.
Castle Combe
Faceless Clock image credit: Hugh Llewelyn from Keynsham, UK
Billed as the quaintest village in England, Castle Combe is a beautiful location to visit that will not disappoint. Here you will find a historic area with 107 listed buildings, mostly Grade II, where no building work has taken place since the 1600’s.
The village will be recognisable from the many films it has featured including Stardust, War Horse, Robin Hood and the original Doctor Doolittle. In the centre of the village you’ll find St Andrew’s church. There is evidence of an early Celtic tribe pagan temple on the site the church now stands. The Church also houses a mystical faceless clock, regarded as one of the oldest working clocks in the country and dates back more than 500 years.
Bibury, Arlington Row Cottages
Sitting on the banks of the River Colne, Bibury is famous for Arlington Row, a picturesque collection of cottages, rich in history and suspended in time. It’s not a great leap for the imagination to dream of a fairytale character sitting, spinning wool at the wheel in one of the cottages while waiting for a prince on his noble stead to arrive.
Originally built around 1380 to be used as a wool store, they were converted into Weavers cottages in the 17th Century. These cottages are some of the most photographed in the entire United Kingdom and their reputation for depicting a bygone, fairytale era, lead them being used in fantasy adventure film Stardust. To discover more Cotswold film and TV locations, check out our journal post here!
Fairytale Farm
For our readers with younger children who love fairytales, animals and adventure, look no further than Fairytale Farm. We love that the farm has been designed first and foremost for disabled children, ensuring every spot is accessible and everybody is welcome.
There are a five different areas to explore, from Jack’s Yard where various fairytales are brought to life, to exploring the Enchanted Walk, a sensory experience where you can look, touch, smell and listen along the way. Everyone’s favourite spot however is, Alfie and Friends, an area where you can make friends with the animals including Alfie the Alpaca, the farm’s mascot, miniature ponies, little pigs, billy goats, donkeys and you may even spot Chicken Licken and Turkey Lurkie.